Visit of US diplomat is seen as 'important'

Nicosia has described as "important" a visit to Cyprus by US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell.

Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou told reporters on Tuesday that the visit is an opportunity for the two sides to discuss efforts that President Nicos Anastasiades is making for the resumption of substantive negotiations on the Cyprus problem, provided that Turkey stops trying to block the government's energy search.

“We consider Mr Mitchell’s visit important,” said Prodromou.

Mitchell's visit scheduled for Friday follows the arrival of ExxonMobil’s “Ocean Investigator” research vessel sailing into Limassol port on Wednesday, ahead of preparations to explore block 10 of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.

The Spokesman said that Cyprus’ energy programme continues as normal and ExxonMobil with Qatar Petroleum, have planned their exploratory surveys and are proceeding according to plan, in consultation with the Republic of Cyprus. "ExxonMobil’s plans continue as normal, " he added.

According to the State Department, Mitchell will visit Cyprus, as part of a tour that includes Pristina, Skopje, Belgrade and Athens this week.

A State Department statement said that Mitchell, in Nicosia on March 16, will meet with "senior Republic of Cyprus officials to discuss bilateral and regional issues, including the development of energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean."